Mulch Your Landscape - the Right Way!

We all know that spring and summer are a great time to brighten up your landscape with a crisp bed edge and fresh coating of mulch- but did you know that some mulches are better for your plants than others?

Red or black dyed mulch is often made from ground up pallets or other waste wood. Soil microorganisms consume beneficial nitrogen from the top several inches of soil as they try to break down this raw wood. Raw wood mulches cause nutrient deficiencies in the soil, resulting in nitrogen-starved plants with a pale, yellowed appearance.

Dyed mulches can create other problems for your landscape, too. Dyes can stain hands, clothing, and pets’ paws, as well as your concrete or paver walk.

Natural, composted double ground hardwood mulch does not strip nutrients from the soil - in fact, as it decomposes over time it adds valuable organic matter and nutrients, healthy components of rich topsoil.

Remember your total mulch depth should not be greater than 2-3”. Those thick ‘mulch volcanoes’ you see around trees starve the trees of oxygen and water, and are likely to kill them eventually.

The right mulch, applied the right way, will benefit your landscape and the beauty of your home.

 

 

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